The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday arraigned the Director, Administration and Supplies of the National Boundary Commission, Mrs Aishatu Abdullahi, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court.
She was arraigned alongside an Assistant Chief Accountant with the agency, Mrs Rahila Ghaji
They were alleged to have conspired to allow Ghaji to participate in the senior promotion exercise and confirm her to the next rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the Commission while she was still employed by Galaxy Backbone Limited.
Ghaji was accused of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, which was purportedly addressed to her husband, Suleiman Mishara, to support her application for a leave of absence at the National Boundary Commission.
The ICPC said the offence is contrary to the provision of Section 26(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which makes it punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.
When the charge was read to the two defendants in the court, they both pleaded not guilty.
Following the defendants’ not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Fatimah Bardi, urged the court to give a date for trial to enable the anti-graft agency prove its case against them.
However, counsel for the defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, respectively, moved their clients bail applications .
They urged the court to admit the defendants to bail depending hearing and determination of the case.
The bail applications were not opposed by the prosecution.
Justice Yusuf Halilu admitted them to bail, adding that they shall provide two sureties each.
According to the judge, the sureties must be residents of Abuja, civil servants at the rank of director in any federal parastatal, and have evidence of first employment and last promotion.
He added that the directors to stand as surety to each of the defendants must sign letters of undertaking to produce the defendants in court throughout their trial.
In addition, the judge held as well as agreed to be put in prison should they fail to produce the defendants in court.
The judge then ordered the defendants to deposit their travelling documents with the court’s registrar.
He further directed that they be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre until they perfect their bail conditions.
Halilu subsequently adjourned the matter until March 17 for the commencement of the hearing.
